Head of Operations / Operations Director
Chelmer Mouldings Limited
Braintree, Essex
Full time, on site
Company overview
Chelmer Mouldings is a long established specialist manufacturer of bespoke fibrous plaster mouldings and architectural external mouldings, with over 20 years of experience working within the high end residential and super prime property sector.
The business combines skilled workshop production with in house design, project coordination, and site delivery. We work closely with developers, main contractors, architects, interior designers, and private clients on design led projects where quality, detail, and reliability are critical.
Alongside traditional fibrous plasterwork, Chelmer Mouldings also manufactures specialist external mouldings using materials such as Jesmonite and GRP. The company operates from its offices and workshop in Braintree, Essex, with a close knit and experienced team.
The role
Chelmer Mouldings is seeking a senior operational lead to work alongside the Managing Director and Technical Director, supporting the smooth day to day running of the business and helping strengthen how projects move from design through to manufacture and delivery.
This is a hands on, collaborative role based at our offices and workshop in Braintree. The role involves working closely with the project coordinator, administrator, head of design, and workshop team to ensure clear communication, realistic programmes, and well managed workflows across all live projects.
The focus of the role is to bring structure, clarity, and consistency to operations, while being part of a supportive leadership team within a well established business that continues to evolve. There are a number of new initiatives and opportunities underway, making this an exciting time to join Chelmer Mouldings.
Key responsibilities
• Coordinating day to day operational activity across design, project coordination, workshop production, and site delivery
• Working closely with the Managing Director and Technical Director on operational planning and priorities
• Supporting the project coordinator with programme planning, sequencing, and resourcing
• Liaising with the head of design to ensure designs are aligned with production capacity and delivery requirements
• Overseeing workshop workflow alongside the workshop team to maintain quality and efficiency
• Supporting the administrator with operational processes and organisation
• Helping ensure projects are delivered on time, within agreed budgets, and to Chelmer Mouldings' quality standards
• Identifying practical improvements to systems, processes, and communication
• Building strong internal relationships and maintaining a positive, collaborative team environment
Experience and background
• Senior operational management experience within a fibrous plaster business, specialist architectural manufacturing company,
OR
closely related construction trade
• Strong understanding of how design, workshop production, and site delivery interact
• Experience working with small to medium sized teams in a hands on environment
• Comfortable operating within a director led business, with clear authority across day to day operations and and a collaborative approach to decision making at senior level
• Organised, commercially aware, and confident coordinating multiple projects
Personal attributes
• Collaborative and team focused, with a practical and approachable style
• Calm, organised, and solutions focused
• Detail driven, with a strong commitment to quality
• Enjoys being involved in projects, people, and problem solving
Location and working pattern
This is a full time, on site role based at Chelmer Mouldings' offices and workshop in Braintree, Essex. Regular presence within the workshop and close engagement with the wider team are essential.
Long term opportunity
This is intended as a long term role within a well established and growing business. For the right individual, there is scope for the role to evolve in responsibility and involvement as Chelmer Mouldings continues to develop, based on performance and mutual alignment.
The business is open to discussing a deeper long term involvement for the right individual as trust and contribution are established.
Applications will be treated with the strictest confidence